U.S. rallies into semis  —  No P.R. nightmare  —  MIAMI - It wasn't quite “Do you believe in miracles?” but for another Team USA on the international stage, it will do.  —  As David Wright's ninth-inning, bases-loaded, opposite-field single landed softly inside the foul line in right field …

Aaron Boone of Houston Astros to undergo open heart surgery for valve replacement  —  KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Aaron Boone of the Houston Astros says he will have open heart surgery to replace an aortic valve.  —  Boone made the announcement Wednesday, saying he has known about his heart condition since college …

Sox release Josh Bard  —  Josh Bard's second stint with the Red Sox was even briefer than his first.  —  The Red Sox announced this morning that they have placed the 30-year old catcher on unconditional release waivers.  General manager Theo Epstein indicated that Bard's departure means …

A mea culpa  —  Let's get this straight right off the top: I was wrong, way wrong about Pedro Martinez being on the verge of signing as a free agent with the Astros.  —  You come to this site expecting to be informed, entertainined and sometimes amused.  Most of all, you want accurate information …

Pirates option Gorzelanny, Tabata to minors (updated)  —  BRADENTON, Fla. — In a move that narrows the starting-rotation candidates to six and with Ian Snell set to return to their exhibition rotation soon, the Pirates this morning sent down three-year starter Tom Gorzelanny two days …

3 UP: JOBA, MO AND BRUNEY  —  1. In today's Post, I wrote that several Yankee officials confirmed to me that if Mariano Rivera were to go down for an extended period then Joba Chamberlain most likely would be made the closer.  I continue to believe this is the most likely way Chamberlain ends …

Andruw Jones could opt out of minor-league deal with Texas Rangers  —  SURPRISE, Ariz. — Center fielder Andruw Jones had a message from agent Scott Boras on his cellphone when he headed to the clubhouse Tuesday, and the five-time All-Star assumed it was to talk about his future with the Rangers.

Your Opening Day Starter... John Lannan  —  John Lannan is 24 years old.  In 2008, he was a rookie.  In fact, he spent the first days of that season in the minors.  But given how Lannan has performed since — how the team views him as an anchor in its rotation — his latest step is no surprise.

A-Rod magazine photos make teammates wonder  —  In the latest issue of Details, Alex Rodriguez appears to kiss himself in a photo shoot for the magazine.  (Details Magazine)  —  TAMPA, Fla. - Even when Alex Rodriguez is in Colorado recovering from hip surgery, he manages to grab headlines.

Spring Game 22: Yankees at Astros  —  YANKEES  —  Pitching today: Chien-Ming Wang followed by Brett Tomko, Jose Veras, Phil Coke and Jon Albaladejo.  —  ASTROS  —  Bourn CF  —  Smith 2B  —  Berkman 1B  —  Lee LF  —  Tejada SS  —  Blum DH  —  Johnson 3B  —  Bogusevic 2B  —  Towles C

Cards payroll is going down  —  Taking into account base salaries, disabled players and termination pay, the Cardinals have obligated about $93.2 million to the projected 25-man roster for the April 6 season opener against Pittsburgh.  —  The number drops from 2008's $101.792 million season-opening figure …

Organizational Rankings, Part 2  —  Last Year's Ranking: 2  —  Why They Might Be Better Than This: Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade …

Perez admits WBC fatigue  —  PORT ST. LUCIE — Oliver Perez returned to the Mets from the World Baseball Classic this morning and admitted he felt tired in his surprisingly lengthy last start for Team Mexico.  —  In a move that didn't go over well with the Mets, Mexico manager Vinny Castilla left …